Today with Jesus

Hard Work

by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada

Today's Bible Verse

"Those unwilling to work will not get to eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Discussion

Do you eat from the fruit of your sweat?

Man on earth has to work for his food. "By the sweat of your brow will you have
food to eat" (Genesis 3:19). Physical labour is the dignified job for each
person on earth. Most of the sickness of the modern days are associated with
lack of physical exercise. At least 45 minutes of physical labour is a must for
keeping the human body in good form and health. Arm chair jobs are not designed
by God. Laziness can never be tolerated by the Creator. Jesus was called a
carpenter - he really was one. St. Paul did his missionary work by working as a
tent maker. "Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tent makers just us
he was" (Acts 18:3). 'We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it.
We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you' (2
Thessalonians 3:8). It is better and Godly to have at least a kitchen garden for
each family and do half an hour labour, and associate with nature. Poverty of
any kind is the end result of no work. 'He who works his land will have abundant
food' (Proverbs 28:19). Be proud and don't shy away from physical labour....Respect
the physical labourers.

John Boehner, the speaker holding the third highest position in the US
government, used to clean floors, wash windows and sort the bottles when he was
10 to 11 years old. He is one of 12 children from a religious family. He grew up
in a five bed room - one bathroom home. He worked odd jobs, including as a
bartender, roofer and a janitor before attending Xavier college in Ohio.
According to him, his parents instilled in him the beauty of hard work and
frugality. His brother says, "If we needed a dollar for gas, our Dad didn't give
to us. We had to work and earn it." Boehner is proud of his family and the work
culture he has inherited.

Make a pledge: "I will eat only from the sweat of my work and won't be a
parasite. I will steer clear of laziness in any area of life and will always
respect the labourer."

Prayer

Jesus, let us go back to the basics of life - to work and eat. Give jobs for
those who are willing and searching for it. Please remove any laziness within
us. Let the disabled and challenged be fed by sharing the fruit of the
able-bodied. We ask this in the name of Jesus.